How to Bet on Horse Racing? – A Complete Online Horse Guide

Betting on horses is a unique combination of live sports and gambling. Betting makes watching a horse race even more exciting! To be honest, equestrian sports and betting go hand in hand to such an extent that experiencing a horse race without a bet is a lot less fun! The first bet on a horse race took place in…. 1780! That’s long before the first bet on a football match. The first bet on a horse race turned out to be an event of great significance. The 1780 race was named after Edward Smith-Stanley, otherwise known as the 12th Earl of Derby. In short, the Derby was born. Today, races bearing the name Derby are still organized in several countries. In the UK, too! Moreover, there are many non GamStop sportsbooks on horse racing.

How Can I Bet on Horses?

Betting on horse races can be done in different ways: via the totalizator method, via fixed odds, or via a betting exchange. This choice basically gives you, as a bettor, three great options.

Each option has its own pros and cons. You can now bet on horses in various ways in the UK. You can now bet on French and Swedish races at fixed odds. Non GamStop sportsbooks also offer fixed odds on future prices, such as Prix d’Amerique or Elitloppet.

Where Can I Bet on Horses in the UK?

Since the introduction of the new law, you can theoretically bet online on horses in the UK at all non GamStop betting sites. In practice, there are only a few, three to be precise: bet365 and Unibet. These non GamStop betting sites offer a very wide range of horse racing bets every day. From noon until the wee hours, you can bet on horse races from all over the world with these providers. All races can be followed for free via a live stream.

What Types of Horse Racing Are There?

The horse races themselves come in all shapes and sizes: running, trotting, racing with obstacles (steeplechase), running in the snow, running on the beach, and trotting in the middle of the street.

 Worldwide, racing (horses at a gallop with a jockey on the horse’s back) is the most popular. Trotting races are a close second. The picker sits on a (sulky) cart behind a horse (which is trotting).

Trotting Races Are the Most Popular in the UK

In the UK, trotting races are by far the most favorite. Trotting races are organized in two ways in our country: long track and short track. The long track is a permanent trotting track where racing takes place several times a year.

Betting on Horses: The Basics

Before placing a bet on a horse race, it is important to understand the basics of equestrian sports. A horse race is a competition between two or more horses in which the first horse to cross the finish line is declared the winner. Races vary in length. Some races are as short as 1,000 meters, while others are 7 kilometers long. So, don’t celebrate too early. In some races, the horses have to run several laps.

When betting on horse races, you are essentially predicting which horse will win the race or which horses will finish in the top two, three, or four. As you can see, there are many different types of bets you can make. Each bet has its own odds and potential payouts. Below are some of the most common types of bets.

Winning Bet

The simplest bet on horse racing is the Winning bet. With a winning bet, you simply bet on which horse will win the race. If your chosen horse comes in first, you win your bet. However, if your knight finishes in a different place, you will lose your bet.

Place Bet

A Place Bet is similar to a Winning Bet but with slightly lower odds. With a Place bet, you bet on which horse will finish in first, second, or third place. If your chosen horse finishes in one of these places, you win your bet.

Couple Bet

A Couple bet is slightly more challenging than a Win or Place bet. With a Couples bet, you bet on which two horses will finish first and which will finish second.

The order is not important here. Couple bets yield more than Winning or Place bets but are also more difficult to predict.

Duo Bet

A Duo bet is slightly more challenging than a Win, Place, or Couple bet. With a Duo bet, you bet on which two horses will finish first and which will finish second. Please note: in the correct order. This means that you not only have to choose the right two horses but also predict their order of finish. Duo bets have higher potential payouts than Win, Place, or Pair bets, but they are also harder to win.

Trio Bet

A Trio bet is even more challenging than a Duo bet. With a Trio bet, you bet on which three horses will finish first, second, and third, in the correct order. This means that you have to cross the finish line with the right three horses in exactly the right order. Trio bets have an even higher potential payout than exacta bets, but they are also much harder to win.

Pick 4 Bet

A Pick 4 bet is the most challenging type of horse racing bet. With a Quattro bet, you bet on which four horses will finish first, second, third, and fourth in the correct order. This means that you must choose the correct four horses in the correct order. Quartet bets have the highest potential payouts, but they are also the hardest to win.

Do I Need to Know About Horse Racing?

The assumption that understanding horses is an absolute must when betting on horses is a big misunderstanding. The information provision is so extensive – and complete – that every bettor has an equal chance. You can find a lot of (free) information about the races online. On most non-GamStop betting sites, you can read free previews of almost all races. The races are provided with detailed information. These details are shown on the so-called race card. This includes the name of the horse, the jockey, the trainer, past performance (important!), the weight that the horse has to carry, etc.

Conclusion

Betting on horse racing is a fun and exciting way to enjoy horse racing, but it is important to do it responsibly. By understanding the different types of bets, doing your research, and setting a budget, you can increase your chances of being successful. Remember to only bet what you can afford to lose, and above all, enjoy the thrill of the horse race.